Kids Need Dirt To Prevent Allergies

Young children exposed to a wide range of bacteria get fewer allergies. And kids who are born vaginally encounter more bacteria than those born in a caesarean section. That may be a reason children who undergo natural childbirth are less prone to asthma and allergies.

A study of 400 children performed at the University of Copenhagen found that youngsters with a greater variety of bacteria in their digestive tract were less susceptible to allergies later in life.

Authors of the study said their findings may indicate that antibiotic use in pregnant women should be limited, since microflora in babies can be affected by drugs and artificial substances ingested by the mother.

Moreover, the team said that there may also be an association between intestinal bacteria and chronic conditions like obesity and diabetes.

"I think that a mechanism that affects the immune system will affect more than just allergies. It would surprise me if diseases such as obesity and diabetes are not also laid down very early in life and depend on how our immune defenses are primed by encountering the bacterial cultures surrounding us," said Hans Bisgaard, one of the researchers.